The Shum Foundation is a community-driven organisation linking automotive enthusiasts, professionals and creatives from across the UK and beyond. Founded in the North West of England, it grew from a shared love of cars into a network that reflects something deeper: people finding common ground in curiosity, craft and culture.
Our work is structured around five pillars – Networking, Community, Cars N Coffee, Media and Charity. Each contributes to the wider mission: to create spaces where people meet naturally, where ideas move freely, and where passion translates into positive impact.
This story continues a tradition shaped by Norman Shum, whose Cars N Coffee gatherings in Liverpool became a fixture of local culture. What started as grassroots has grown into an organisation that looks outward, welcoming everyone from first-time visitors to long-standing collaborators. The future of car culture, as we see it, rests not on exclusivity but on collaboration, inclusivity and purpose.
Our mission
To create a vibrant and inclusive automotive community that celebrates car culture while opening doors to education, employment and creative expression. Through networking, storytelling and charitable action, we aim to show how passion can become purpose - especially within Liverpool and the wider North West.
Community
We are built on people, not machines. Our foundation brings together families, enthusiasts, businesses and creatives, shaping a culture that is welcoming and representative of the region we call home.
Growth
Every event, project and conversation is a chance to evolve. By sharing knowledge and experiences, we create space for personal development, professional opportunities and cultural progress.
Collaboration
Nothing meaningful happens in isolation. We work side by side with partners, institutions and individuals, proving that cooperation across boundaries leads to stronger ideas and lasting impact.
Driven together
Shum Foundation Team
At the heart of the foundation is a team that treats ideas like blueprints and turns them into reality. They are organisers and storytellers, but above all they are people bound by a shared belief that culture, community and connection are built, not found.
Norman Shum
Founder
Charalene Lee
Co-Founder, Charity Liaison
Karol Debski
Head of Media & Marketing
Driven together
Cars N Coffee Crew
What feels effortless on a Sunday morning exists only because of their quiet coordination and steady presence.
Aaron Schofield
Bøe Møller
Chris James
David Worrall
Gareth Roberts
Gren Atherton
Gus Giles
Jake Giles
James Williams
John Kane
John Reynolds
Matthew Eaton
Michael Hergreaves
Nick Williams
Paige Dickson
Tom Lynch
Tom Owen
Violet Dickson
In good company
Partners
We’re proud to collaborate with thousands of amazing companies, both locally and around the world, working together to build lasting relationships and create meaningful impact and we’d love to welcome you as part of that journey. Below is a glimpse of the valued partners in our growing network.
- Liverpool Council Town Hall
- Military of Defence
- Cataclean
- Tesla UK
- Lexus Liverpool
- Chung Ku Restaurant
- Costco
- Merseyside Police
- Jaguar Land Rover (Factory Halewood)
- Jaguar Land Rover (Experience)
- Bentley Crewe
- Ford Halewood
- Transmissions Ltd
- Vauxhall (Factory Ellesmere Port)
- Lamborghini
- BAC Manufacturing Centre
- Leica Manchester
- 6R4.com
- Radio Merseyside
- Renault Liverpool
- BMW Williams Group
- Porsche AG
- Kula Studio Ltd
- Wirral Life Magazine
